Three generations of ambitious, strong women struggle to cope with life and each other revealing their jealousies, lives, careers, ambitions and conflicts. The matriarch, an aging, flamboyant, faded movie and stage star, tries to come to grips with her own mortality and failings. She finally faces the bitterness and resentment of her daughter who is far along in alienating her own daughter. Can they be reconciled before it is too late? Set in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and California's Wine Country, everyone will recognize the battles and challenges these women (and family) face. You will laugh, cry and cheer as they move through their emotional highs and lows of fame, family and the future.
Long after you've left the theater, you will be singing and humming the soon-to-be hit songs from the show. The original score features 20 new songs, many destined to become standards in the tradition of Cole Porter, Bacharach and David, and Irving Berlin plus fully-contemporary musical messages. The title song, "Didn't You Used to Be?", the ode to Hollywood tourism "Famous Celebrity," the insightful "I'm a 21st Century Woman," the inspirational "You Can Do It!," and many more!
Post-performance comments included, "The most beautiful score for a musical I've heard in years," "Your love songs between Susan and Sam were gorgeous." "The music had something for all audiences - traditional Broadway and modern treatments and rhythms." "I'm still singing the songs in my head."
Our outstanding cast of Broadway headliners and Broadway veterans brought "Didn't You Used to Be?" to life in an exciting full cast staged reading at historic Hudson Theatres Mainstage in Hollywood on February 4 with powerful vocals and performances. Jennifer Allen, hailed most recently for her dynamic performance as "Ursula" in "The Little Mermaid," starred as "Rita Stanton," dealing with her past, present and future. Broadway legend Fred Applegate (Sting's "The Last Ship" and "Beauty and the Beast") was "Dr. Ben Edwards," the patriarch and Rita's ex-husband. Shannon O'Boyle ("Kinky Boots") as Rita's and Ben's daughter, "Dr. Susan Edwards," successful physician still angry that her mother blocked her stage career. Charismatic Alan H. Green ("School of Rock" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") as "Sam Bennett," who tries to humanize Susan. Presley Ryan ("Annie" and "Beetlejuice") as Julie, the grandaughter of Rita and Ben and Susan's daughter, trying to find her own way despite her mother's heavy hand. All backed by an oustanding ensemble led by David Siebels, Pat Boone's longtime music director.
1) “Famous Celebrity”
2) "Didn’t You Used to Be"
3) "Twenty-First Century Woman"
4) "Give Up Your Dreams"
5) "Crazy"
6) "I See Now"
7) "And You"
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Book, music and lyrics by Clif Smith
Directed by Misti B. Wills
Music arranged and conducted by David Siebels
Casting by Murnane Casting
General Management - ShowTown Theatricals
By invitation only, Hudson Theatres, Hollywood.
February 4, 2024
Hosted by Max Factor III
Sponsored by
the Beverly Hills Performing Arts Center
at the Saban Theatre.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Over fifty invited guests including guest of honor, Ruta Lee, and industry professionals braved the "pineapple express" downpour in Los Angeles to watch the stage reading.